text: *Bidentate, chelating: One example is [Co(ethylenediamine))(PO)].  
  *Bidentate, bridging: Phosphate, like carboxylate and sulfate, is well suited to span metal-metal bonds.  This bonding mode is illustrated by , which features a Mo-Mo triple bond.  Related [Pt(III)] complexes have been reported.
  *Tridentate, bridging.  Several triangulo clusters feature a capping phosphate ligand, e.g. .
  *Encapsulated: In phosphotungstic acid, all four oxygen atoms of phosphate are bonded to metals.